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Dozens of Taliban members armed with guns, grenades and bombs have freed 250 inmates from a prison, including 25 dangerous terrorists.

The militants killed 14 people in the attack on a compound in north-west Pakistan, including six policemen. A further 15 officers were wounded.

The four-hour siege began with a large explosion nearby. One eyewitness, Sharafat Khan, said: ‘It was so loud it rattled every house in the area.’

A series of smaller bombs were then detonated, causing prison walls to collapse. Attackers chanted ‘God is great’ and ‘long live the Taliban’ while hand grenades were lobbed at security guards in the town of Dera Ismail Khan.

Eight militants were dressed in police uniform and used megaphones to find specific prisoners they wanted to release. Prison officials had received a letter to warn them of the attack but did not think it would happen so soon.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan has elected a president. Mamnoon Hussain, 73, was favourite to win and is a close ally of the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif.

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